Heloise: Avoid lonely pets by adopting 2

Dear Heloise: I am writing to suggest adopting two dogs, if you can afford it. I always had one dog at a time and never thought about the dog being lonely all day, with nothing to do but eat and sleep. I was at work, so the dog was alone. No wonder I would get such a great greeting when I came home!

My friend was given a dog when she already had a dog. She said it was such a difference! The dogs are both female, about the same age, and they do everything together. They play, eat and spend lots of time together. She said she would never have just one dog again. — Dorothy J., Youngstown, Ohio

Dear Readers: Barbara G. emailed a picture of her adorable pug, Mac. Mac goes for a two-mile walk every day in the park, where he loves to chase squirrels. He doesn’t know exactly what the squirrels are, but he knows he wants one really badly! To see Mac and our other Pet Pals, visit www.heloise.com and click on “Pets.” — Heloise

Dear Heloise: I buy numerous toilet brushes at the dollar store when I’m there. I keep an ample supply in the garage, and I use them on sticky cobwebs! I go around the outside and inside of my house, brushing them off the bricks, eaves and corners of windows.

The toilet brush is rough enough in texture to snag the cobweb, but not rough enough to mar the walls or paint, and they are inexpensive. — Cindy, via email

Dear Heloise: Here’s a hint that others might like: Sometimes I have trouble chewing nuts. I toss a couple of cups of almonds in the blender and grind them up. Then I use them in all kinds of ways: in cereal, oatmeal, cake batter, pudding, smoothies, burgers — you name it. — Elsie in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to 210-HELOISE or email it to heloise@heloise.com.